Band member Adam Granduciel (born Adam Granofsky in Dover, Massachusetts) moved from Oakland, California to Philadelphia in 2003, where he met Kurt Vile and began playing music with him. They began playing as The War on Drugs in 2005, and self-released a demo EP. While Vile and Granduciel formed the backbone of the band, they had a number of accompanists early in the group's career, before finally settling on a lineup that added Charlie Hall as drummer/organist, Kyle Lloyd as drummer and Dave Hartley on bass. Granduciel had previously toured and recorded with The Capitol Years, and Vile has several solo albums. The group gave away its Barrel of Batteries EP for free early in 2008. Their debut LP for Secretly Canadian, Wagonwheel Blues, was released in 2008.
Reviewers of the band's music make note of its Americana overtones. The group's sound has been described as influenced by Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, and My Bloody Valentine.
The lineup underwent several changes, and by the end of 2008, Kurt Vile, Charlie Hall, and Kyle Lloyd had all exited the group. Granduciel and Hartley were joined by drummer Mike Zanghi as the group slimmed to three members.
After Zanghi's exit in 2010, Steven Urgo took over drum duties and Robbie Bennett joined on keys.
Come to the City
The War on Drugs Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Past the farms and debris
You can see it from the highlands
As you roam 'long the range
I've been on the look for a quiet place
It's not far from of the range, baby
Take me back to the one I love
I've been ramblin'
Burning tires on my street
Past the roar and debris, baby
All the kids dance around it
Monkey likes what he sees
I've been drinking up all the sweet tea
It was made just for me
I've been ramblin'
I'm just driftin'
Looking out for the one I love
I've been down by the sea, baby
I've been up in the highlands
Past the farms and debris
I've been rollin' down on the good stuff
Past the roads I can see, oh babe
Lead me back to the one I love
All roads lead to me
I've been movin'
I'll be driftin'
The War on Drugs' song "Come to the City" is a wistful call to return home. The lyrics paint a picture of someone who has been on a journey, wandering through rough terrain and past burning tires. They are clearly tired and searching for the solace of home, offering a plea to be taken back to the place they love.
The opening line "Lead me back to the place I'm from" serves as the foundation for the rest of the lyrics, as the singer describes the journey they have been on and the various places they have been. They mention passing by farms and debris, looking for a quiet place that isn't far away. The song is packed with vivid imagery, including the reference to burning tires on the street, kids dancing around it, and monkeys watching from a distance.
The chorus offers a simple but powerful message: "Lead me back to the one I love." It's a relatable sentiment, as many people have experienced the pull of home and loved ones after being away or going through a tough time. The singer ends the song by acknowledging that they are still moving and drifting, but that all roads eventually lead back to them.
Overall, "Come to the City" is a beautifully written song that captures the feeling of longing and the desire for connection.
Line by Line Meaning
Lead me back to the place I'm from
Guide me towards my hometown
Past the farms and debris
Beyond the farmlands and rubble
You can see it from the highlands
From the elevated regions it can be seen
As you roam 'long the range
While journeying along the territory
I've been on the look for a quiet place
I've been seeking a peaceful abode
It's not far from of the range, baby
It's not distant from the territory
Take me back to the one I love
Bring me to my beloved
It's not far, it's on the way
It's close, on the path
I've been ramblin'
I've been wandering
Burning tires on my street
Setting tires ablaze on the street
Past the roar and debris, baby
Beyond the noise and wreckage
All the kids dance around it
All the children dance nearby
Monkey likes what he sees
Monkey finds it interesting
I've been drinking up all the sweet tea
I've been consuming a lot of sweet tea
It was made just for me
It was exclusively prepared for me
I'm just driftin'
I'm merely floating
Looking out for the one I love
Searching for my beloved
I've been down by the sea, baby
I've been by the ocean
I've been up in the highlands
I've been to the elevated regions
Past the farms and debris
Beyond the farmlands and rubble
I've been rollin' down on the good stuff
I've been cruising with the desirable things
Past the roads I can see, oh babe
Beyond what my eyes perceive
All roads lead to me
All paths eventually bring me to myself
I've been movin'
I've been traveling
I'll be driftin'
I'll keep floating
Lyrics © SC PUBLISHING DBA SECRETLY CANADIAN PUB., Songtrust Ave, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Adam Granofsky, David John Hartley
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Steven Denny
Lead me back to the place I'm from
Past the farms and debris
You can see it from the highlands
As you roam 'long the range
I've been on the look for a quiet place
It's not far from of the range, baby
Take me back to the one I love
It's not far, it's on the way
I've been ramblin'
Burning tires on my street
Past the roar and debris, baby
All the kids dance around it
Monkey likes what he sees
I've been drinking up all the sweet tea
It was made just for me
I've been ramblin'
I'm just driftin'
Looking out for the one I love
I've been down by the sea, baby
I've been up in the highlands
Past the farms and debris
I've been rollin' down on the good stuff
Past the roads I can see, oh babe
Lead me back to the one I love
All roads lead to me
I've been movin'
I'll be driftin'
0151 PiE
One of the best songs I've ever heard most of the views are probably from me . Without a doubt my favourite band in my 38 years of rocking. Rock on !
Brave Outlock
👑
Umer Qaiser
Ditto!
bikehorn
This synths in this song makes me inexplicably happy. Just what I needed in these crappy times.
bikehorn
@Woden of the Angles In retrospect the times have only gotten crappier and I miss 2011
Woden of the Angles
At first I assumed you were alluding to the pandemic, then I saw that your comment was from 9 years ago! lol
Nathaniel Hornblower
This is about as perfect a song as I can imagine
bradford
Great video, fits the song well. It's like an individual's memories of being young in the late 70s.
Sam Loeschen
this song is amazing, this video is like bad art in a coffee shop
isitgettinheavy
Love it. Total U2 "Bad" vibe